The weekend is over and the muscles are recovering….but a great time was had by all. This year we had a whopping 26 team members and for the first time we got team jerseys. With logo design done by our very own Sam Roberts and jersey design done by our very own Jack Hunter, we looked great. And as a team we raised over $32,000!!! Hands down, it was the best year yet. Already looking forward to next year which will be the big #5 for me!! Donations are still being accepted (through Oct 17th) if you’ve forgotten (http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/bebethsteudel2011). Otherwise, enjoy some pics and consider joining us next year!

Last weekend was our annual backpacking trip with the Hunter-Ludders family. We set off to Baker Lake and hoped that the kiddos would do a little hiking on their own. As it turned out, Samuel and Sabine walked the entire 1.5 miles to our campsite!! We were on a beautiful spit, all on our own, with Mount Baker as our backdrop. The weekend was filled with swimming, hiking, berry picking, fishing, and just generally having fun. Just what the doctor ordered!

I know…that subject line probably makes you cringe. Its the time of year, when I ask you (our few, but faithful, blog readers!) to think about supporting me in my annual MS Ride. For me, its one weekend a year. But for those living with Multiple Sclerosis, its MS time 365 days a year. For them, it affects what they eat, how they move, what they can do, how much they can sleep…you get the idea. Wouldn’t it be great if this wasn’t true. The funds raised by this ride will go to help find a cure for MS.

Multiple Sclerosis doesn’t only affect those with the disease. It affects their spouses and children too. How does a five year old understand why daddy walks funny? How does a 10 year old explain to her friends that mommy walks with a cane? How does a wife cope with the fact that her husband can’t ride a bike along the beach like he used to? The funds raised by the MS ride will help support camps for kids and weekends away for couples to help answer those exact questions.

This is my fourth year riding, so I know how tiring it is to read this blog post year after year. I truly hope that one day I won’t have to post. This year our team has grown and I am excited to be joined by 20+ Fighting Axons. For most of us, it will be a weekend of beautiful riding, but I am also extremely proud that we have two Fighting Axons living with MS that will be there with us that weekend. As always my Uncle Ray Heacox will be giving scooter rides to the little ones and generally harassing the riders. And this year Trevis Gleason has joined our ranks, and will be encouraging all to move to Scotland!

Finally, my mom, Deborah Schenk, has graciously returned with a challenge pledge. She will match the first $1,000 in donations. That means, if you donate soon, your money will go twice as far! I am so very grateful for your support.

This weekend brought awesome Seattle weather, and with it we took to the water. Friday night Sabine’s friend Clodagh was staying with us, so Saturday we decided to take them paddling in the Arboretum to hunt for turtles and wildlife. This was Sabine’s first time sitting in the middle of the boat and our first time taking two kids. Both girls did great!
Sunday found us back in the Arboretum with the Case family. Scott, Mark and Sabine explored Portage Bay and the cut, while Margot, Toby and I kept it more mellow looking at turtles and herons. Toby mostly slept, but everyone had a great time (homemade chocolate chip cookies make any trip awesome!)

Last weekend we headed to Saddlebag Island (near Anacortes, WA) for the Bine’s first overnight paddling trip. She’s a veteran camper at this point, but we haven’t ton a ton of paddling with her. My parents and sister came along for the fun and we met Mark’s brother’s family and their band of merry men. Sabine helped us carry the gear and soon we were ready to take off.
After setting up camp we headed back out for a paddle, but all that work was too much for the Bine and she promptly went to sleep!
As always camping with the Steudel, Bune, Ricks, and VanNostrand crew means lots of singing and hanging out.
It would have been a perfect day had we not been missing Bine’s best bud’s birthday….so we made sure to include him in the fun.
Finally, we woke on Mother’s Day to a gloriously sunny morning. Breakfast in the sun on the beach…it doesn’t get much better. A great weekend was had by all!

In good Schenk tradition, we’re celebrating Sabine’s birthday before, on, and after Sabine’s birthday (who doesn’t like to celebrate as many times as possible!) On Saturday we had friends over which included 12 kids and 18 adults. Courtney has already proclaimed our house a zoo, but Saturday gave new meaning to chaos. Fortunately an even larger dose of fun was mixed in. Sabine had a great time and eating an entire bowl of blackberries might have been the highlight of the day!